Revlon Cosmetics Review: My Honest Thoughts on the Iconic Drugstore Brand

Hey there beauty lover! Today we‘re diving deep into all things Revlon, the OG drugstore makeup brand that‘s been serving us glam looks since 1932. As a self-proclaimed makeup addict, I‘ve tried my fair share of Revlon products over the years, from their classic red lipsticks to their new trendy launches. So I‘m here to give you the tea on which Revlon goodies are worth your coin, and which you can probably skip.

But before we get into the nitty gritty product details, let‘s start with a quick overview of the brand. Revlon is one of the oldest and most recognized cosmetics companies in the US, known for its affordable, accessible makeup and beauty tools sold in drugstores. It was founded way back in 1932 by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson, along with chemist Charles Lachman (hence the "L" in Revlon).

What started as a small nail polish line eventually grew into a global beauty empire, with Revlon becoming one of the first mainstream makeup brands to use celebrity ambassadors in its advertising. Over the decades, iconic faces like Audrey Hepburn, Cindy Crawford, Halle Berry, Emma Stone, and Gal Gadot have all starred in glamorous Revlon campaigns.

Today, Revlon offers hundreds of products across makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish, fragrance, and beauty tools, retailing from $5-$20 on average. It‘s the 5th largest cosmetics company in the US, with over $2.7 billion in annual sales globally. So chances are, you‘ve probably owned a Revlon lipstick or mascara at some point!

Revlon‘s Best-Selling Makeup Products

Okay, now let‘s talk about the goods – AKA the actual products you came here for. Revlon has a massive collection (seriously, it‘s overwhelming), but there are definitely some standouts that have earned holy grail status among beauty junkies. Here are the items I always recommend to my friends:

ColorStay Foundation

If you‘re looking for a budge-proof, high coverage foundation, look no further than Revlon ColorStay. This iconic base product has been a best-seller for decades, and for good reason. The demi-matte, oil-free formula stays put for up to 24 hours without transferring, fading, or caking up. It‘s also available in an impressive 43 shades to suit a wide variety of skin tones.

I personally love the ColorStay foundation for long days at the office or nights out dancing. It keeps my complexion even and shine-free without feeling heavy or looking flat. The only downside is that it can cling to dry patches, so make sure your skin is well exfoliated and moisturized before applying.

Over 5,000 Amazon reviewers agree with me, giving the ColorStay foundation 4.5 out of 5 stars. It‘s also won numerous beauty awards from magazines like Allure and Glamour. At around $10-15 for a 1 oz bottle, it‘s a steal compared to high-end foundations.

Super Lustrous Lipstick

Name a more iconic drugstore lipstick, I‘ll wait. Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks have been a handbag staple since the 1950s, and remain a favorite among celebrity makeup artists today. The creamy, moisturizing formula is available in over 80 shades and 4 finishes (crème, matte, pearl, and sheer), so there‘s something for everyone.

I‘m a sucker for a classic red lip, so I always have a tube of Super Lustrous in the shade "Fire and Ice" on hand. It‘s the perfect blue-based red that makes my teeth look whiter and brightens up my whole face. The semi-glossy crème finish is comfortable to wear and doesn‘t dry out my lips like some matte lipsticks can.

With over 8,000 5-star reviews on Ulta, the Super Lustrous lipsticks are clearly a fan favorite. Celebrity fans include Emma Stone, Gwen Stefani, and Gal Gadot. You can snag them for around $8-10 each, which is a bargain for such high quality, pigmented lipsticks.

Mega Multiplier Mascara

As a Asian girl with stick-straight, stubby lashes, I rely on mascara to open up my eyes. The Revlon Mega Multiplier mascara has been a game-changer for me, giving my sad lashes major volume and length without clumping or smudging. The tubing formula wraps each lash in tiny fibers to create a falsie effect that stays put all day (no panda eyes!).

I love that the Mega Multiplier wand has a tapered shape, with shorter bristles at the tip to grab even the tiniest inner corner lashes. Two coats is all I need for a flirty, fluttery fringe that rivals lash extensions. The only con is that it‘s not the easiest formula to remove – you definitely need an oil-based remover to dissolve the tubes.

The Mega Multiplier mascara has over 1,000 4-star reviews on the Revlon website and frequently sells out, so you know it‘s good. At around $10 per tube, it‘s pricier than some other drugstore mascaras but well worth it IMO.

ColorStay Eyeliner

If you‘re an eyeliner lover like me, you know the struggle of finding a formula that doesn‘t transfer or disappear halfway through the day. Enter the Revlon ColorStay eyeliner, my go-to for creating a budge-proof cat eye or smudged out smoky look. The retractable pencil has a creamy texture that glides on smoothly without tugging or skipping, and sets down to a long-wearing matte finish.

I‘ve worn this liner through sweaty music festivals, teary movie marathons, and even swimming, and it does. not. move. The built-in sharpener is also super handy for keeping the tip precise on the go. My only gripe is that it can be a bit tricky to fully remove, so make sure you have a heavy-duty makeup remover on hand.

With over 3,000 mostly positive reviews on Amazon, the ColorStay eyeliner is a clear winner. It‘s available in 8 shades including black, brown, and jewel tones. At around $8 each, they‘re a bit spendier than some other drugstore liners, but the quality is on par with high-end ones I‘ve tried.

What About the Rest of Revlon‘s Lineup?

Okay, so those are my absolute must-haves from Revlon‘s makeup collection. But what about the rest of their massive product catalog? Here‘s a quick rundown of some other hits and misses:

Hits

• PhotoReady Candid foundation: A more natural, glowy alternative to ColorStay. Great for dry skin.
• ColorStay Crème eyeshadow: Long-wearing, blendable pot eyeshadows in neutral and sparkly shades.
• Kiss Cushion lip tint: Moisturizing, sheer wash of color in cute chubby crayon packaging. K-beauty inspired.
• Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer: A 2-in-1 oval hair dryer brush that gives bouncy, smooth results in half the time. A dupe for the pricey Revlon One-Step.
• ColorStay Brow Pencil: Precise, micro-fine tip for hair-like strokes. Includes spoolie brush.

Misses

• Youth FX Fill + Blur foundation: Thick, silicone-heavy foundation that sits in fine lines. Strong fragrance.
• ColorStay Full Coverage concealer: Drying, cakey formula that creases under eyes. Shade range is limited.
• Volume + Length Magnified primer: Wet, clumpy lash primer that weighs down lashes. Doesn‘t hold curl.
• Nail polishes: Largely discontinued due to poor performance compared to competitors. Streaky, slow-drying formula.
• Photoready prep, set, refresh mist: Nozzle sprays out large droplets unevenly. Strong alcohol scent.

Of course, beauty is subjective so what doesn‘t work for me might be your holy grail. But in general, I find that Revlon‘s complexion and lip products are the most consistent in quality, while their eyeshadows, mascaras, and brow products can be more hit or miss.

The brand is definitely trying to cater to a younger audience with their trendy launches and K-beauty inspired collections. But their core lineup of ColorStay and Super Lustrous products remain the tried and true favorites for a reason.

How Does Revlon Compare to Other Drugstore Brands?

Revlon is one of the biggest players in the drugstore beauty space, but it definitely has some stiff competition. Brands like Maybelline, L‘Oreal, CoverGirl, and NYX all offer similar products at comparable price points. So how does Revlon stack up? Here‘s my take:

• Maybelline: Revlon‘s biggest direct competitor IMO. Offers a similar wide range of makeup and nail products. Known for their mascaras (Great Lash, Falsies, etc.), Fit Me foundation, and Color Tattoo eyeshadows. I prefer Revlon for lipsticks, but Maybelline wins for brows and mascara.

• L‘Oreal: A slightly pricier "masstige" brand with both drugstore and high-end offerings. Revlon is more affordable on average. L‘Oreal is known for their Lash Paradise mascara, Infallible foundations, and Colour Riche lipsticks. Both brands have great options, but I find L‘Oreal to be more innovative with their formulas and finishes.

• CoverGirl: One of the oldest drugstore brands, known for their "Clean" makeup and Simple Skincare lines. Compared to Revlon, CoverGirl offers a larger variety of vegan and cruelty-free products. They‘re also more focused on a natural, "no-makeup makeup" look, while Revlon caters to more glam, full-coverage looks.

• NYX: A newer drugstore brand known for their bold, playful colors and influencer collabs. Revlon‘s products are more geared towards everyday, wearable looks, while NYX offers a larger variety of bright eyeshadows, glitter, and special effects makeup. NYX is also 100% cruelty-free, while Revlon is not.

Ultimately, I don‘t think you can go wrong with any of these brands. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Revlon is a great option if you want affordable, reliable basics like foundation and lipstick, but may not be the most exciting or innovative brand out there.

Revlon: Pros and Cons

To sum it all up, here‘s a quick breakdown of what I love (and don‘t love) about Revlon as a whole:

Pros

• Affordable prices, with most products under $15
• Widely available in drugstores and online
• Frequent sales and coupons (sign up for emails!)
• ColorStay foundation is a cult-favorite for oily skin
• Super Lustrous lipsticks have an amazing shade range
• Historically inclusive shade ranges for complexion products
• Fun collabs with celebs and designers (Wonder Woman, Barbie, etc.)

Cons

• Limited vegan options (some products contain carmine, beeswax, etc.)
• Not 100% cruelty-free (sold in mainland China)
• Some products can be hit or miss in quality
• Releases a lot of limited edition/gimmicky collections
• Larger products can be bulky for travel/on the go
• Fragrances and certain ingredients may irritate sensitive skin
• Less focused on clean/natural beauty compared to other brands

FAQs About Revlon

Still have burning questions? I got you. Here are some frequently asked Q‘s about Revlon, answered by yours truly:

Is Revlon high-end?

No, Revlon is definitely considered a drugstore or "budget-friendly" brand. You can find most of their products for $5-$20 in mass retailers like Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.

Is Revlon cruelty-free?

No, Revlon as a company is not cruelty-free because they sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. Some of their products are vegan, but they‘re not certified cruelty-free.

How long does Revlon ColorStay foundation last?

The ColorStay foundation claims to have 24-hour longwear, and based on my experience, it definitely lives up to that! Even on my oily skin, I can get a full workday and then some out of this foundation without touch-ups. Of course, it may not last as long if you have very oily skin or live in a humid climate.

What is the best Revlon lipstick?

The Super Lustrous lipsticks are hands down the best Revlon lipstick formula IMO. They‘re creamy, pigmented, and come in every shade imaginable. Some of the most popular shades are "Fire and Ice" (true red), "Bare Affair" (nude pink), and "Black Cherry" (deep berry).

Is Revlon a good brand for mature skin?

Yes, I think Revlon offers some great products for mature skin, especially in their complexion range. The Age Defying line includes foundations, concealers, and powders specifically formulated to blur fine lines and boost radiance. The ColorStay foundation is also a good option for oily mature skin, as it has a demi-matte finish that won‘t settle into creases.

Final Thoughts

Phew, that was a lot of info! If you made it this far, props to you. I hope this honest review gave you some insights into the wide world of Revlon makeup. As someone who‘s tried a lot of different brands over the years, I can confidently say that Revlon is a solid choice for anyone looking for affordable, reliable basics.

Their ColorStay foundation and Super Lustrous lipsticks in particular are total cult classics that have stood the test of time. And while not every Revlon product is a home run, the brand does a good job of catering to a variety of skin types, tones, and preferences.

At the end of the day, makeup is supposed to be fun and personal. So if you‘ve been eyeing a Revlon product, I say go for it! The best part about drugstore makeup is that it‘s low-risk, so you can experiment without breaking the bank.

That‘s all from me (for now). I‘d love to hear your thoughts on Revlon – what are your favorite products? Any total fails? Let me know in the comments below. And as always, keep slaying and stay fabulous!

Xoxo,

Your Resident Beauty Guru